Laos

Mr. Thi of the Vang Vieng organic farm always has fantastic community and farming projects in development, and during T2T’s last visit to the farm we had the pleasure of being introduced to their latest projects, including a local seed bank.

Launched in 2006 in partnership with the neighbouring Phoudindaeng community the project aims to estabilish a seed center in Vang Vieng. The aim is to preserve and make available organic, non-hybrid, locally grown seeds, to provide increased food security for locals and organic seed for farmers.

The second phase will be to develop a demonstration seed garden for locals and farmers to share and learn accessible organic techniques for saving and propagating seed.

The seed bank will be built, managed and operated by local villagers and aims to enhance the quantity and diversity of the seed stored within the center by growing and supporting a network of local farmers. Read more at www.accesstogether.net

The above photo shows one of the mud built stores used to store the seeds.

Radio Broadcasting in Namsom

English Radio Show in Namsom

The rural Isaan village of Namsom has for long been a popular placement in Thailand, it is a spot where volunteers can experience true Thai living and culture. Besides English teaching the volunteers will now have the possibility to broadcast radio at Namsom Radio 102.75 MHZ.

The volunteers host an English show 2 hours per week where they play English music, talk and read short English stories. The listeners can also call in to chat and request songs. The show is transmitted all over Udon Thani, a larger city near Namsom.

Tibetan donations

Supporting Tibetan Monasteries and the Shiqu County Village Health Station.

T2T China will be making monthly donations to support the Dzogchen Shirasing Five Knowledge Buddhist Institute. The donations will finance food and medical grants for the monk students, who come from poor families without stable financial resources.

T2T China will also support the establishment of Shiqu County Village Health Station and their medicine supply. In the Jiang Masjid area there are no clinics or medical stations within less that 50 km reach for the population of about 2000 people. In this poor area local residents generally suffer from malnutrition and bad blood circulation. A simple fever can claim lives due to the lack of basic medical treatment. The new medical station will serve as a clinical station of the monastery and for the entire region, providing basic medical services to monks and residents. A portion of the China Volunteers Fees will go towards helping this valuable project.

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